Did you have a fun Fourth of July weekend?
I’m so sad that it’s over, but considering I had a 4 day weekend, I really can’t complain! I was able to do some running, some celebrating, and get things taken care of for the house, so I’m glad to say it was a mix of productivity and fun!
I’m linking up with the Weekly Wrap with HoHo and MissSippi Piddlin and Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Patty, and Erika!
[bctt tweet=”It’s time for the #weeklywrap – 4th of July Edition! #runchat ” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Fourth of July Weekend
You wouldn’t believe how happy I was to get a long weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July, always one of my favorite holidays! While we don’t have a big grill (yet), we were able to pick up some delicious food from a nearby market and truly have a feast as we made the sausages and burgers on our stove for the first time.
We even got to see fireworks, twice! The Kansas City Royals were in town to play the Phillies and we were able to see a great show, despite the Royals losing one of 3 games. I wish the few shots I took could do them justice!
Kansas City Royals in Philadelphia
We’ve been excited about seeing the Royals in-person all season. Bret was able to get some amazing seats on StubHub that were in perfect view of the home plate. The people who sold the tickets to us were there and were super friendly. Unfortunately, the Phillies beat the Royals the first game, but I was glad the tables were turned at Saturday’s game!
On Saturday I went to my first tailgate before a baseball game. Bret has several friends who are Royals fans in Philly, so one of them set everything up. We had a really good time! I just need the Royals to get their act together this season…I think they have way too much competition this year to run away with the title, so hopefully they get things in order soon. Right now they’re not as exciting to watch!
Getting Our House in Order
I was really excited about having a long weekend so that I can spend more time getting the house organized. Now, we’ve been living in our new house barely over a week, so I think with that in mind, we’ve made a ton of progress already!
Over the weekend, we were able to pick up a ton of stuff from Home Depot, Walmart, and check out Bed Bath and Beyond. And we bought a new mattress from Raymour and Flanagan! I hate the word “adulting” but I guess that’s what we’ve been up to!
We’re also meeting more of the neighbors as the days go by. Everyone seems pretty nice and we continue to be wowed by our neighborhood overall. So many beautiful homes and the peace and quiet is such a welcome change for us!
My next big project is getting my home office organized. This is where I’ll be doing my blogging (like I am for this post!) and I even have my clarinet and keyboard up here. It will truly be a creative space! Right now it looks like a tornado hit it…take my word for it! Any tips on the best place to buy things for your home office?
One Minute Planking Challenge in July
After being consistently inspired by fellow bloggers Marcia, Kim, and Wendy who have been doing a daily planking challenge, I’ve finally decided to follow their lead and challenge myself to do a 1-minute plank each day in July. The problem is, it’s July 5 and I forgot to plank on the 3rd and the 4th – D’oh! So I have some catching up to do…
I used to find planks to be so easy but over the past year I’ve realized how I’ve really let myself go when it comes to my core strength. As a runner, it’s so important to have a strong core, and since I won’t have boot camp or yoga classes at work to rely on, I want to keep up with my workouts. Now if I can only get that consistency down! Any tips on making sure you do those planks every day?
Workouts for the Week:
Monday 6/27: Yoga class in the afternoon and Boot Camp in the evening. I found out that my Boot Camp instructor is moving away, so I’m really sad! He’s been awesome this past year and always gave us a great workout.
Tuesday 6/28: I planned to run but ran out of time. We had our playoff softball game in the evening, and we made it to the semifinals! I got an RBI (yay), but I had the busiest right field of my life. The other team had tons of lefties so the ball consistently came my way, and I tended to catch it with my body…the last straw was when a fly ball landed DIRECTLY ON MY FOOT. You’ve got to be kidding me! After that I didn’t play much in the game. I was extremely worried because it felt just like my foot did when I had a stress fracture in 2013. I’ve got the worst luck sometimes…
Wednesday 6/29: I actually went to the doctor (so happy I got an appointment the same day!) to get my foot checked out and get an X-Ray. Thankfully, my doctor was confident that I didn’t have a fracture and the X-Ray was clear. I was still experiencing a LOT of pain even after the prescribed painkillers. Needless to say, no running!
Thursday 6/30: Another day of rest for my foot, though it was starting to feel slightly better.
Friday 7/1: I had the day off and I thought my foot was finally ready to get back to running! I had no idea where I was going, but I meandered my way to a trail that I ran with Bret a few weeks ago. It was so beautiful! Even better, I felt great on this run! I followed up my run with ITB Band Rehab and Standard Core workouts from Strength Running.
Saturday 7/2: Bret and I ran together as he showed me a route that he tried out that was awesome! We live pretty close to Forbidden Drive and he was able to find a way to get there by running instead of driving. We ended up doing a little under 5.2 miles. Oh, and my new hood is super hilly!
Sunday 7/3: No workouts!
Monday 7/4: We went for a long run on the Fourth! I should have done 7.4 miles but we actual did 7.5! The first few miles were extrenely tough since we were winding through the rocky trails near the Wissahickon. Eventually we got on Forbidden Drive and even ran through Chestnut Hill, a gorgeous neighborhood. Bret really kept me motivated on this one, as I was discouraged by my slow pace in the beginning.
Week 4 Report Card:
Unfortunately, I ended up with a low mileage week due to that freak softball accident. I keep telling everyone that there is nothing “soft” about that softball! I think I’m getting more adapted to running in the heat and humidity, though it is still a very miserable experience!
With all things considered, I’m going to give this past week of training a B. I’m eager to get back to running and I really need to make sure I get in my long runs every week since I’m getting closer and closer to marathon training(!). I’m feeling a little out of wack, but hopefully I’ll be back in the groove for Week 5!
How was your Fourth of July? Did you run any races?
Really, it sounds like a good week! Moving is hard. Like really hard. And I didn’t know you played the clarinet! I used to play the flute, but basically haven’t touched it since college.
I did race yesterday. No PRs, no PBs, no AG awards, but I was happy with it and I had a lot of friends there so it was all good.
I’m glad you had a good race over the holiday! Oh yeah, I was soo in love with the clarinet. I really do miss playing in the band, so many good memories!
It was nice having a 4-day weekend. I was quite productive on Friday, and wrapped up errands on Saturday. Then Sunday and Monday it was all about vegging in between my workouts. I went to the movies, and ran yesterday, on the treadmill. Storms had brought the temp down to 70, but left a 90% humidity.
Four day weekends are the best! I’m glad you got to enjoy yours. And we had that yucky humidity too on Monday! Couldn’t really enjoy the “cool” weather!
So jealous of your Phillies game! I haven’t been to any ball games this summer yet.
I always plan to do house stuff over long weekends but I never get as much done as I hope. Have a good week!
Thanks, you too! These games were my first of the year! It was fun to be there, even though they lost the series 🙁
Glad the softball injury didn’t turn into anything serious! We live in hilly area too, so I often drive to the park (which is relatively flat) to avoid the hills. But I know I should suck it up and run the hills because it’ll only make me stronger!
Thanks, Michelle…I was so worried! Yes, I don’t think I’ll be able to avoid the hills in my neighborhood, so I better get used to them, right? 🙂
HA! I am off to go eat some left over hot dogs now – You made me droooooolllll for them.
Oh wait, you were talking about pre-training for your marathon… but when I see food – my mind turns into one-track! 😉
I don’t blame you, GiGi! I am still craving more hot dogs after this weekend!
I’m glad it’s not a stress fracture- that’s always where my mind goes right away too! Have fun filling up the office and getting the house settled, too!
Thanks a lot, Laura! I’m so relieved that it wasn’t a serious injury!
WoW, you have been so busy!!! Getting a new home all set up is major work. But, hey…Plank On, Girlfriend!!!!! I’ll start tagging you on IG with all my planking posts 😉
TOO busy lol, but thankfully I’m hanging in there! Your planking posts have been so motivating to me! I am really struggling with them, but I gotta keep at it!
Glad your foot wasn’t seriously injured. There’s always so much to do right after a move, right?! I’m getting ready to overhaul my home office so I’ll be curious to see what you do with your space. I set a reminder on my phone to make sure I got my planks in during the challenge – now I’ve switched the alert for my squats 🙂
Thanks, Michelle. Oh and setting a reminder is a good idea – I still need to remind myself to get in these planks! I wish I had the decorative gene that my mom and sister have…hopefully I can figure out a nice way to decorate my office!
softballs hurt. a lot. i’m glad your foot is okay, though!
Thanks, Courtney! I was SO scared for like 48 hours lol…
wow you killed it! good for you. i want to run a marathon!
Thanks a lot, Abbey! Let’s get you signed up! 😛
Love how you give your weeks a rating. That’s awesome! Sounds like you had a pretty good week all in all! Hope you have an A+ week this week.
Thanks a lot, Mikki! I like to grade so that I know how I’m doing week to week!
hope your foot bets better soon. i know all about those kind of injuries. had a blast this 4th of july. every weekend should be 3 + days!
Thanks, Glenneth. And yes, why can’t every weekend be a long one?
Yay for no fracture! Hopefully you’re all healed up to increase your milage this week!
Thanks, Melissa! I’m almost feeling 100% so I think it’s gonna be a great week!
No races for 4th of July but we did have a nice time getting some open water swimming in! Followed by a relaxing beach day, so I’d say it was a pretty lovely holiday.
Time at the beach? I am definitely jealous! Glad you had a great weekend!
Great week, even if your mileage was lower than you wanted! I love reading your recaps – you always manage to fit in so much!
I did a local 5K on the 4th – not my best, but I was glad to be out there.
Thanks a lot Jenn, I’m glad you enjoy them! And congrats on your 5k! July 4 and Thanksgiving are the days that I always want to race but can never make it work!
Happy you don’t have a fracture!
Thanks, me too! LOL
I didn’t know you played the clarinet! I haven’t played mine in a couple years, but I really want to get back into it. I was always too embarrassed when I was in apartments – I doubt my neighbors would want to listen to that!
Clarinets rock!! That’s true, I felt the same way on those rare occasions that I would pull out my clarinet when I lived in an apartment. Now that I’m in a house I don’t have any excuses!
You’re so right: there’s nothing soft about a softball. Yikes! You had a good week and a really fun holiday weekend. I raced in NC and will post my race report soon. Yay for planking!
Oh no on that softball injury! I hope your foot continues to be better. I work at the kitchen counter, so I’m not much help on setting up a home office.
Thankfully, my foot feels MUCH better. I hope in a few days the pain will be completely gone!
Great week Janelle! I need to join you guys in the planking challenge. I missed those first days, too!
Thanks, Ilka! My planks are really bad…I’m shaking by the end!
That was your FIRST ballpark tailgate?!?! Hope you had fun, and lots of grilled food, beer and ladder toss!
You know, I didn’t play any games but I had a good time talking to people! Haha, I have been to a college football tailgate if that counts! 🙂
Wow! That is quite the workout schedule on top of everything else you’ve got going on!! You go girl!
Thanks Natalie…I’m trying!
I love how you are rating your weeks. I think I need to get back to a weekly accountability for myself as well. We had a nice 4th- baseball here too. All American, right?!
Thanks, Patty! And yes, nothing more American than baseball 🙂
Sounds like a good week, especially with the holiday! I’ve been working on daily planks too and it’s really making a difference.
We are in the process of getting our house ready to list it’s daunting really. WE are only moving about a mile away but same pain in the butt! Glad to hear you are settling in!
So glad your foot got better! An injury during training is AWFUL!
Thanks Kayla, I was SO relieved!
Moving takes so much effort- it’s exhausting. But it looks like you had a great week!
Thanks, Kimberly! We had a little bit more moving today, but we’ve made so much progress!
Looks like you had a great week. You seem to have a really good system going–I enjoy how you rate your weeks! I ran a 10K this weekend and loved it!
Thanks, Allyson! I like grading myself each week and just being completely honest. Congrats on your 10!
Wow, great week! Moving can be super stressful, awesome to get so much running in 🙂 Have a Great Week!!!
Thanks so much, Angela! Yes, most of the stressful part of moving is done!
I was really into planking this Spring but admit I’ve slacked off a bit. I still remember them a couple of nights a week. It’s wonderful to hear you are enjoy your house and your beautiful neighborhood. I love running in mine. I never drive anywhere to run. I do wish I had some nice trails nearby though. I’m glad your foot was not hurt seriously. I played the clarinet all through school, but I don’t even have one any longer. But, I do still play the piano. Thanks for linking with us Janelle!
Yay, another clarinet player! Thanks, HoHo, we’re loving the new neighborhood and running has brought a new challenge! And yes, I’m so relieved my foot feels so much better!
Glad you don’t have a fracture and that you had a good week!
Thanks a lot, Nicole!
I can’t remember the last time I did a plank. If my back wasn’t such a mess right now, I’d join ya!
I squeezed as much out of my holiday weekend as I could. In fact we left the beach at 5am and I had to be at work in a few hours! But it was worth it getting to go to a baseball game and seeing fireworks afterwards, I think! I see yall had the same idea! Thanks Janelle for linking up!